Katy Biele is a mixed media artist who can’t sit still! She was born in the south of Chile and began playing with colours at a young age. She found herself on an artistic path that lead to design school in Santiago. During a four year stint of travelling and living in different countries she continued to make art and fell in love with textiles while exploring south-east Asia. In 2015 Katy started her first hands-on embroidery experience, working with refugee Pakistani embroidery artists from the Thar Desert.

How did you get into embroidery?

I learned in India in 2015 when I worked there in a project with nomad women from Pakistan who were living in India.

Are there any stitches you’re keen on learning?

I love French knots but I’m not very interested in learning stitches, I just like to try and invent new stuff. 

Where do you get your materials and threads from?

I get most of them from Chile, Peru and Italy. 

How do you start a new piece of work, what’s your design process?

I always paint  in my  sketchbook or draw and then I start a new piece. 

Are you overwhelmed with designs and ideas or does it take time to find new embroideries to stitch?

Mmm sometimes I get overwhelmed with many ideas! 

Do you embroider for fun or is it a full time job?

My full time job is being an artist, but doing embroidery is not only what I do, I also paint and sometimes combine the two. 

Do you ever feel nervous or anxious your followers won’t like your work?

No, I don’t care if people on Instagram don’t like it. I make art for me and it’s amazing if somebody else likes it, but is not why I do this.

Do you ever feel pressured to post images that you know will get lots of likes instead of simply posting what you like?

Before for sure, like maybe two years ago, but now I don’t feel that pressure anymore, I am trying to take it more easy with social media. 

What do you love about embroidery?

I love textile art so much! All the language that you can create with embroidery. I think there are so many possibilities to create. I also love the texture that thread can give you that you wouldn’t get from paint.

Follow Katy here.